Wondering why the Viasat modem blinking white color? Well, continue reading to find out!
The indicator light on the Viasat modem changes color to let you know the modem’s operational status.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the pulsing white light on the modem, what it means, and a list of proven and tested solutions to correctly troubleshoot your router to address this problem.
When a Viasat modem is blinking white, it signifies that the modem is in the process of establishing a connection with Viasat servers. This typically completes within a minute or two. However, if the connection process takes an extended amount of time, it’s advisable to troubleshoot the issue.
Let’s move further to discuss this in detail!
What Does Blinking White Mean on My Viasat Modem?
If your Viasat modem has a blinking white light, it means it is trying to establish and connect with the Viasat servers.
Usually, this process takes a minute, but it’s not excluded to take a bit more.
Once your Viasat modem successfully connects to the satellite network, then the white indicator light turns into a steady blue light to indicate a stable connection.
However, if the white light is there for more than 5 minutes, there might be an underlying issue with your modem’s setup.
Why is My Viasat Modem Blinking White?
These are the reasons why your Viasat modem is blinking in white, and to effectively address this problem you’ll need to do something against each possibility.
So if you’re inexperienced with network modems, then our guide below will come in handy!
How to Fix When Viasat Modem Blinking White?
Note: Make sure to follow the steps consecutively!
1. Power Cycle Your Viasat Modem!
Sometimes smart devices even modems develop temporary software or electrical glitches and bugs that can badly interfere with the device’s performance.
The quickest and most effective way to address such bugs is to reboot your modem by manually power cycling from the outlet.
Here is how to reboot the Viasat modem:
- Unplug your Viasat modem from the outlet.
- Then, simply wait for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Next, plug your modem back into the outlet.
Your modem can take a few minutes and continue to blink in white color until it initializes and establishes the connection with the dish.
So, be patient and let the modem do its processing. If your Viasat modem continues to blink white light after waiting too long, continue reading!
2. Inspect the Cables Connections!
The never-ending blinking white light is a prime indication that the Coaxial or Ethernet cable is loosely or incorrectly plugged into the modem or dish.
Then your router will never be able to receive the internet connection from the dish and continue to blink in white color indefinitely.
We’ve designed a complete step-by-step guide to cover every single detail:
- Unplug your Viasat dish and modem from the outlet.
- Then, disconnect the modem’s AC wall power adapter.
- Remove the Coax cable from the modem and the dish.
- Unplug the Ethernet cable from the modem and device.
- Carefully inspect the full length of the cables for damage.
- Info: Inspect for bent connectors, cable rips, or twists.
- Then, tightly reconnect the Coax with the dish and modem.
- Finger-tighten both ends of the coax cable in the connector.
- Reconnect the Ethernet cable with the modem and device.
- Reconnect the AC power adapter back to your modem.
Make sure to set up everything correctly to ensure a secure connection.
When you turn on the power supply to the modem, it will initially blink in white for a few minutes in search of the connection but once it connects with the satellite.
Then the white light will turn to solid blue.
Note: Wait for at least 3 minutes, before continuing further!
3. Check for Local Service Outages
If you are still wondering why your modem is constantly pulsing white, then there is a chance that the main issue is not on your end but on the Viasat server’s end.
So, without wasting any more time and effort, let’s quickly check for any ongoing service outages in your local area.
You can check for ongoing outages from the My Viasat app! Simply open the app and check for Viasat outage updates.
Make sure that the permission for the notification alerts in the app is “turned on” in order to receive outage updates on time.
If you have outages in your area, then it’s completely normal due to maintenance work, so such external factors are beyond your control.
Therefore, remain patient and keep checking for any updates in the Viasat app, to find out when the services have been restored.
Tip: You can also contact Viasat support or call 1 (844) 702-3199 for an update on outages!
4. Inspect the Viasat Dish Condition
Since Viasat is a satellite-based internet service, keep in mind that any obstructions on the dish, even dirt or debris, can affect the dish signal’s quality.
This will ultimately prevent the dish from connecting to the satellite, which will reflect as a never-ending modem blinking white light.
It’s very important to verify that your Viasat dish is not covered!
Also, make sure that there are no obstructions between the dish line of sight with the sky such as trees, buildings, snow, etc.
Also, you can try repositioning the dish to ensure that the unit is pointing toward the sky with a clear view.
This should significantly improve the signal strength.
How’s the Weather Like?
It may seem strange, but severe weather conditions, such as heavy rain or storms, can sometimes interfere with satellite signals.
In such cases, it is normal to have an internet issue that can automatically resolve as soon as the dish reaches out and connects with the satellite.
Tip: The same goes if there was a recent power outage in your local area!
5. Monitor the Viasat Plan Data Usage!
Monitoring your Viasat data usage is a crucial step in maintaining a consistent and reliable internet connection with your Viasat modem.
- If you are using an “Unlimited Data Plan” then there is nothing to worry about, so you can exclude this possibility and move on to the next step.
- If you are using a “Data-Capped Plan” then it is possible that you’ve exceeded your monthly data limit and that is why your service is slow or restricted.
You can check your data from the My Viasat App under “Check Your Data Usage”, Any data thresholds can prevent you from accessing the internet so it’s important to verify that this is not the case.
Don’t forget that you can purchase “High-Speed Data” to avoid any slow network.
Note: Even with the Unlimited Data Plan your internet can become slow and congested in busy network times such as evening.
6. Confirm Account Payment Status!
Overdue billing or account problems can lead to service interruptions.
So, you may want to verify that any dues towards Viasat are paid and that your service hasn’t been disabled due to timed-out payment.
If you are unsure whether your most recent payment went through or not, log into your Viasat account and check the billing status of your current plan.
Try to find out whether the payment went through and if there are any ongoing account limitations that you need to be aware of.
Usually, Viasat automatically detects and activates the plan by using your provided account number, but if your account is overdrawn or changed, then Viasat will not activate your plan and certainly, the internet could be disconnected.
Tip: In such cases, you must contact Viasat Customer Service or access your account online to track the account and get more personalized help.
Quick Recap:
If your Viasat modem blinking white, reboot the modem and inspect the wiring between your dish and modem.
If the pulsing white light persists, then check for Viasat outages, remove any dish obstructions, and monitor your internet data usage and Viasat payment.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.